prosthetic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.
He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.
-
of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.
advances in prosthetic technology.
-
of or relating to a substance, item, or process used to transform a person’s appearance temporarily, especially as a theatrical special effect.
The final scene required painstaking application of prosthetic hair and skin.
noun
-
an artificial body part; a prosthesis.
Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.
-
an appearance-altering substance or item applied temporarily to a person’s face or body, especially to create a theatrical special effect.
Alien creatures are brought to life with realistic prosthetics.
Other Word Forms
- prosthetically adverb
Etymology
Origin of prosthetic
1735–40; < Modern Latin prostheticus, from Hellenistic Greek prosthetikós, equivalent to prósthet(os) “added on,” verbid of prostithе́nai “to add, put onto” ( pros- pros- ( def. ). + the-, stem of tithе́nai “to put, place” + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Earlier this month, the organization hosted a seminar with special effects makeup artist Veniesa Dillon on sculpting techniques and prosthetic application.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
The moves are inspired, even with the prosthetic belly you’re wearing.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026
She said that as a result of the error she had "really struggled physically and psychologically", including trying out prosthetic legs which "kept falling off because of how high the amputation is".
From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026
After losing his right leg on the battlefield in Ukraine, Dmitry, a former fighter with Russia's Wagner paramilitary group, is walking again thanks to a new prosthetic limb.
From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026
He began stroking her prosthetic arm as though it were a fascinating new toy.
From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
